Arkansas State Rock

Bauxite

Adopted in 1967.

Bauxite was adopted as the Arkansas State Rock by the General Assembly of 1967. Bauxite is used to make aluminum, which is used to make cans, aluminum foil, and many other useful products. Arkansas is home to the largest bauxite deposits in the United States, located in Saline County.

Arkansas Legislature Archives
1-4-111. State gem, mineral, and rock.
(a) The diamond is adopted and designated the official state gem of the State of Arkansas. 
(b) Quartz crystal is adopted and designated the official state mineral of the State of Arkansas. 
(c) Bauxite is adopted and designated the official state rock of the State of Arkansas. 
History. Acts 1967, No. 128, §§ 1-3; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 5-115 - 5-117.

At one time Arkansas produced 97% of the nation's bauxite. In 1887 the state's first geologist discovered huge deposits of bauxite in Saline and Pulaski Counties. Bauxite quickly became an extremely profitable venture. In 1903 the Pittsburgh Reduction Company of Pennsylvania (later known as Alcoa) established a company town and named it Bauxite. During the 64 years the company was in business, all inhabitants of the town were employees. The Gann Museum of Benton is the only building in the world made out of bauxite. Bauxite is no longer produced and the mined land is now being reclaimed.

Bauxite developed during the early Tertiary time period, starting first as soils then going through a process known as tropical weathering into the igneous rock bauxite. Shallow seas and shorelines covered the West Gulf Coastal Plain during this time period. Aluminum, which is extracted from bauxite is the third most abundant element found in the earth's crust. Its light weight and strength make it a very versatile metal. The main use of Arkansas bauxite was in the manufacture of metallic aluminum. Uses today include the manufacture of artificial abrasives, chemicals, refractories, cements, absorbents (including kitty litter), and catalysts. Aluminum paint, beverage cans, baseball bats, high-voltage power lines, house siding, boats, and airplanes are just some of the many products made from aluminum.